INGÁ Project’s New Phase Advances Socioenvironmental Gains for Juruti

April, 2023 – The INGÁ Project (a Portuguese acronym for Sustainability and Management Indicators in the Amazon) is entering its second phase. The project will extend for 18 months and include over R$ 2.7 million in investments.

Activities will be divided into seven strategies. The initiative is coordinated by the Sustainable Juruti Institute (IJUS), with investments from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Alcoa Foundation, the Citi Foundation and the Partnership Platform for the Amazon (PPA). Its partners include the Amazon Entrepreneurship Center (CEA) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture).

The INGÁ Project supports the development of human capital and territorial management in the municipality of Juruti, in the state of Pará. It fosters autonomous territorial development and leadership, protection and conservation of native forests, restoration of degraded areas, entrepreneurship, and the structuring of the Juruti Sustainable Development Indicators Observatory. Activities are carried out in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

For Marcos Amaral, IJUS Vice President, the project's second phase benefits from the experiences and lessons learned during Phase 1, as well as from other programs developed by IJUS. “Recognizing our local needs will enable a more effective approach to our communities, and enhance the impact of our actions. Our collaborative exchanges with local actors will enable the participatory management of our activities. Thanks to the research carried out by the Observatory, we will have a better understanding of the region to propose a development agenda for different sectors, with socioenvironmental responsibility,” he adds.

Juruti Velho – Phase 2 includes the Juruti Velho region, which will benefit from Juruti UP initiatives through their “Awakening” workshops. Juruti UP is an initiative that aims to foster sustainable entrepreneurship among young people in the region, seeking to support and guide them according to “design thinking” and positive psychology methodologies. 

Five “Awakening” workshops will be held for 450 young people in the regions of Juruti Velho, Curumucuri, Prudente Monte Sinai, and Central Juruti, as well as a closing seminar. In addition to contributing to the creation of new businesses, young people will participate in the sustainable development of Amazon. Promotion of  their ideas focused on the forest, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture is a program component.

Thanks to its natural wealth, culture, and strategic location, Juruti has great potential to generate income and employment, and to improve quality of living through sustainable entrepreneurship.

According to Juruti UP coordinator Luiz Fadel, the idea is to stimulate youth's interest in  the sustainable and social development of their territory. “We know a great deal about the results achieved by the INGÁ Project in its first phase, and we are very happy to be part of phase 2 through Juruti UP,” he said. 

Renewable energy – Another new development under the project is its strategy to improve living conditions and comfort. A total of 30 families will have access to basic infrastructure and improved socioeconomic conditions through renewable energy (solar power kits). In addition, another 30 families will receive rural telephone lines.

Read more information here.